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Buying healthy products can be very spendy. I have found myself spending close to $5.00 on a tube of toothpaste in my search of finding one that wasn't filled with a long list of chemicals. Then I came across a recipe for homemade toothpaste and have been making it and saving money ever since! It's simple and quick to make and it tastes good.
To make your own toothpaste, just use a fifty/fifty ratio of coconut oil to baking soda. Start with a small batch and use a few tablespoons of each. If you like, add a few drops of an essential oil, like peppermint or spearmint, for flavor. You can add a bit of stevia for sugar-free sweetness. After mixing your toothpaste, keep it in a glass container with a lid. Then just spoon some out for use.
The mixture doesn't need to be refrigerated and because coconut oil is antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal, it will help keep your toothbrush clean and sanitary too. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that provides a gentle cleansing and it's alkaline, so it neutralizes acids in your mouth that are often at the root of tooth decay. Baking soda also absorbs odors and helps produce sweet breath.
By Patricia from Maple Falls, WA
When we were very young, we were very poor and I never recall having toothpaste. We always made a paste out of baking soda and water and brushed our teeth with it. It was only when I was ten or so that I actually saw and used toothpaste. Now they have toothpaste with baking soda in it.
By gem from VA
I make my own toothpaste with 3 parts baking soda, 1 part sea salt or Himalayan Salt and enough glycerin to make it flow (I used 6 tsp. soda, 2 tsp. salt and 3 tsp. glycerin, 6 drops of almond flavoring). I put it back into the glycerin bottle because it has a spout that opens. I added almond flavoring the first time I made it, and it was okay.
My mouth feels fresh after I brush and even my 2 year old grandson liked it. I think I am going to use peppermint or one of the mints from here on out. I used baking soda and salt when I was a child so this just improved on it somewhat. I understand the glycerin is antibacterial.
Source: I found this on the web but I can't remember where. I also found a washing powder recipe and I really like it.
By seasalt from Raymond, MS
I've just made another batch of toothpaste for myself. It's very simple to make and the ingredients are natural and thrifty - the perfect combination!
I put the jar in the microwave for 30 seconds and then stir the mix together. You could use it straight from the jar (pop it in the fridge to set) or do as I have and put in a clean syringe when the mix is liquid. I find this a great way to squeeze a little onto my toothbrush and the syringes were very cheaply bought on Amazon. (£2.99 for 5).
It tastes lovely and it's all natural ingredients. And there's no fluoride which is the main reason I wanted to make my own.
Happy, clean and cheap smiles! :D
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Does anyone have a recipe for toothpaste?
By lorie
Baking soda won't bleach your teeth, but it will help get plaque off and make them shine. Be warned that baking soda is an abrasive and if you use it too much, the enamel on your teeth can get damaged.
It might be cheaper to make your own toothpaste, but in the long run it might cost you more in dental bills. Store bought toothpaste has fluoride in it which helps protect against cavities. Really, no matter how old we are, if we still have our natural teeth, we need the fluoride. I was a dental assistant for 14 years so I know what I'm talking about. Also, as someone else posted, baking soda can be very abrasive to tooth enamel.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I'm trying to cut back on just about everything these days. I use baking soda instead of toothpaste and add a little water. Would it be okay to mix the baking soda with my (leftover) mouthwash, just making it moist, and calling it "toothpaste"? I'm wondering if the solution would damage teeth.
Any other ideas on making your own toothpaste appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Baking soda won't bleach your teeth, but it will help get plaque off and make them shine. Be warned that baking soda is an abrasive and if you use it too much, the enamel on your teeth can get damaged. Good luck. (04/11/2010)
My grandparents used nothing, but a basic baking soda and water paste mixed together just before each brushing and they lived until their 70s and 90s with all their teeth in tact and no enamel damage and very few cavities. And a couple of them never even used a toothbrush, but rather their forefinger! (All four were born just before or just after 1900.)
The toothpastes of today, and anything other than a soft bristle brush, are much, much more damaging to teeth and gums than a good old fashioned baking soda paste!
I don't think it's a good idea to use a mouthwash mixed in with it. I would use regular, fluoride or anti-plaque mouth wash before brushing. (04/12/2010)
By Deeli
You don't see as many toothpastes with baking soda in them any more. Dentists found they were wearing the enamel off of teeth. Just buy tooth paste. It doesn't cost that much. Most people use too much of it anyway. (04/12/2010)
By Lilac
It might be cheaper to make your own toothpaste, but in the long run it might cost you more in dental bills. Store bought toothpaste has fluoride in it which helps protect against cavities. Really, no matter how old we are, if we still have our natural teeth, we need the fluoride. I was a dental assistant for 14 years so I know what I'm talking about. Also, as someone else posted, baking soda can be very abrasive to tooth enamel. (04/12/2010)
By Louise
I have found brand name toothpaste in dollar stores. (I can't say I'd use something I'd never heard of.) Anyway, you only need a pea size dollop to brush with. You needn't cover all the bristles with paste. Cutting back on the real thing might be better in the long run. (04/13/2010)
By Beth
Beth is right about only using a small amount of toothpaste. When I do use toothpaste I use a small amount and have done so for so long that it didn't dawn on me that others might be filling up their bristles. I use about a peanut size amount, but I also run it along outside and inside teeth just as I do with baking soda paste before beginning to brush. This disperses it evenly.
I am truly not trying to be mean or rude, but those who think baking soda paste is so highly abrasive should look at their toothpaste ingredients. They nearly all contain either sodium bicarbonate (which is baking soda) and/or hydrated silica (which is an abrasive) or other abrasive ingredients.
If you are worried about fluoride there are safe fluoride mouth washes out there that you can find by checking the labels. (04/13/2010)
By Deeli
I've made my own toothpaste for over 2 years now. All I do is add 1/2 of generic Sensodyne and 1/2 regular toothpaste. I put this in a baby shampoo bottle and it makes 1/2 a bottle. I then add baking soda up to almost 3/4 bottle and almost to the top with mouthwash. Shake it well and add more toothpaste if needed. I have to use the generic Sensodyne because I've had sensitive teeth since a child. I hope this works for everyone. (04/14/2010)
Making your own toothpaste is both easy and cheap.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix baking soda and salt together. Then add 3 teaspoons of glycerin and mix thoroughly. Add flavoring to taste. 5 to 10 drops will usually work. Find out what is best for you. Put paste into a squeeze bottle. Use as you would commercial toothpaste. You can also add a drop of food coloring to add a little color. Add a little more glycerin for thicker toothpaste.
